Style : Sludge / Industrial / Death-Metal
Label : Throatruiner Records // Frozen Records
2023 marked the return of French outfit Fange, who reached a new milestone in their career with the release of their latest album Privation. Issued via Throatruiner Records (home to Birds in Row, Nesseria, Plebeian Grandstand, among others) with a special collector’s vinyl edition from Frozen Records, the album signals a bold evolution in the band’s sound.
Over time, Fange has steadily transformed their musical identity—moving ever deeper into industrial territory. With Privation, this shift becomes fully realized, as the band’s previously organic textures give way to a dense, mechanical force reminiscent of Godflesh. The arrival of guitarist Titouan Le Gal (Epectase, Hostile…) further enriches the album, bringing his own distinct edge to the band’s increasingly industrial approach.
This fourth album stands apart significantly from the rest of Fange’s discography. The tempos are noticeably slower, and the overall result is a more mature, cohesive work that delves into darker and more personal territory. The track À la racine offers a striking example: its dominant machine-driven intro intertwines with Matthias’s vocals to paint a cold, inhuman atmosphere, which gradually shifts into an industrial/death-metal direction reminiscent of Meathook Seed’s ‘Embedded’ era. The guitars take on a heavier tone, with stripped-down riffs merging seamlessly into layers of electronic noise—creating a unified, singular identity. The signature drum machine and ever-weightier bass remain central, channeling a strong Godflesh spirit throughout.
Yet, this aggression is counterbalanced by more atmospheric passages—a new direction the band fully embraces on Privation. These moments offer a compelling second wind, especially when Matthias delivers his most precise and impactful lyricism to date. Each line sticks, as in the blistering refrain: « Je donne plus, je reprends, ravale tes espoirs ! Je donne plus, je reprends, quitte à décevoir, je donne plus, je reprends, vie à contre pied, je donne plus, je reprends, sans vice à expier ! » His vocal performance is also more nuanced than ever, exploring dynamic variations that go well beyond the conventional harsh-vs-growl dichotomy.
Fange continues to reinvent themselves, drawing from the cold wave movement with the help of Cindy Sanchez (Candélabre, Lisieux…), introducing an entirely new facet to their sound. Né pour trahir breaks genre boundaries, as Cindy’s crystalline voice adds a deep emotional layer to the mechanical atmosphere, creating a true melodic crescendo. Similarly, Portes d’Ivoire features the appearance of Cédric Toufouti (Hangman’s Chair), who once again contributes clean vocals, blending them into the heavy, menacing mass that is Fange, further expanding the band’s sonic territory.
The use of guest features is always a hit or miss with listeners. Personally, I think both contributions are great, but a special mention goes to Cindy Sanchez, whose contribution adds a very pop-like touch to Né pour trahir. I was completely blown away the first time I heard it. » (Antoine Perron, bass)
‘Privation’ is a surprising blend, combining industrial/death metal elements inspired by Godflesh and even Killing Joke, reminiscent of the band’s previous album ‘Pudeur » – It also features a special focus on melody, which may risk alienating the old fanbase from the Purge and Punir eras. However, with an open mind, listeners will find a truly remarkable performance that tells a story evolving through feelings of hatred, sadness, and disgust—making it an ideal soundtrack for a Gaspar Noé film (the cult director of works such as Seul contre tous and Irréversible).
There’s no doubt: this is the band’s most complete work to date, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the best albums of 2023.
